New BIBA Travel Directory meets FCA criteria to help consumers with medical conditions

From April, consumers who are offered a travel insurance policy with a £100 or more additional premium due to a medical condition, are declined cover, are offered a policy with an exclusion that cannot be removed or have a policy cancelled because of their medical conditions must be pointed towards a specialist directory to find help. 

The FCA has confirmed that BIBA’s Travel Medical Insurance Directory meets their criteria for a ‘medical cover firm directory’ and will be listed on the FCA website from today, Wednesday 27 January 2021.

New rules coming in from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) aim to help consumers with more serious pre-existing medical conditions more easily access travel insurance and insurance providers will have to signpost customers that they cannot help to an FCA accredited directory such as the British Insurance Brokers’ Association’s (BIBA) Travel Medical Directory to find specialist insurance brokers who can help them.

The FCA estimates there are between 12.6-14.1 million consumers with a pre-exiting medical conditions that look to purchase travel insurance each year.

The incoming changes to the travel insurance market aim to reduce the number of uninsured consumers and to help those who are declined cover, only offered cover that excludes their medical condition or offered what they consider to be unaffordable premiums.

Consumers who prefer to discuss their requirements can call BIBA’s Find Insurance Service and be transferred directly to a specialist broker who has confirmed that they are able to help with their specific requirements.

BIBA’s Executive Director Graeme Trudgill said: “Suitable and competitive travel insurance is available for people with medical conditions, but they need help to find specialists in this area. We are delighted to have met the FCA criteria for a medical cover firm directory and to be part of the solution. We have worked closely with the FCA throughout the process championing the need for signposting in this area.”

Trudgill concluded: “Travel insurance is as important as your suitcase, and we look forward to the times when consumers can safely travel again. BIBA will do all that we can to help consumers with medical conditions to find the cover they need and make their journey easier.”

BIBA’s Travel Medical Directory is available online or consumers can call its Find insurance Service on 0370 950 1790.

BIBA offers the following advice to those travelling with medical conditions.

• Discuss your travel plans with your doctor before booking your holiday.
• Check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice about your planned destination(s).
• Choose your destination carefully, as you may not be able to have the recommended vaccinations due to your condition.
• Remember to check the availability of suitable medical facilities at your destination – on some holiday islands you might have to travel to the mainland.
• If you are currently undergoing treatment make sure to take enough medication for the whole duration of your trip including extra to allow for any delays in returning.
• Check the rules about taking medications into your destination, the rules and regulations about what and how much is allowed can vary. The NHS has helpful advice.
• Always pack your medication in your hand luggage with an emergency supply in another bag.
• Make sure that you stick to your medication regime. Take a copy of your current prescription.
• Create a ‘Summary of diagnosis’ to take with you. If you are taken ill, this will help your attending doctor.
• Take your doctor’s telephone number.